At dawn, gates were layered across Palestine, and thousands of windows were shut and sealed. Headquarters of seven major Palestinian human rights organizations faced raids and closures, as iron plates replaced open doors. The Israeli army tightened its siege on Palestinian civil society, further restricting the rights and protections of nearly three million Palestinians living under occupation in the West Bank for more than half a century.
The organizations targeted in October were those previously granted recognition by the authorities. Numerous groups—advocates for Palestinian women, Palestinian villagers, children, medical personnel, and prisoners—were labeled terrorists by Israel. Israel argued that these groups supported militant activity, including the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, a designation many of the organizations deny, insisting their work aligns with the rights and welfare of the Palestinian people.
Necessary human rights work
Reports describe occupation forces raiding Al-Haq’s Ramallah office, confiscating possessions, and sealing the main entrance with an iron plate, accompanied by a military order declaring the organization illegal. Similar actions followed at other centers, including Bisan Research and Development Center, the International Defense for Children, the Palestinian Association of Women’s Committees, the Agricultural Labor Committees, and Addameer, all aimed at defending prisoners and human rights under pressure.
A social media update from Al-Haq captured the moment: the raid, the seized items, and the entry blocked by metal work. Addameer stated that the organization faced suppression under the banner of security and terrorism countermeasures, an assessment echoed by allies who described the action as an attack on essential human rights work. The broader pattern points to decades-long suppression of Palestinian civil society as a tool to curb dissent within the occupied territories.
Last minute: Israeli Occupation Forces raided Al-Haq’s office in Ramallah this morning, confiscating belongings and blocking the main entrance with an iron plate, leaving behind a military order declaring the organization illegal 1/2 pic.twitter.com/Y8yqRdU4Db
— Al-Haq الحق (@alhaq_org) 18 August 2022
Israeli soldiers during military raids confiscated files and equipment. They left military orders on the doors and welded them shut. In Addameer, officials described the shutdown as forced under security pretenses and the fight against terrorism in the region. The action drew widespread condemnation as another step in ongoing Israeli efforts to curb Palestinian civil society, suppress political activism, and restrict reporting on the occupation—an approach that has endured for decades.
European support
During the morning, demonstrations expressing solidarity with Palestinian organizations took place beyond the region, using the hashtag StandWithThe6 in reference to six groups labeled as terrorists in October. In the following weeks, several European governments announced investigations into the Israeli accusations and examined the status of these institutions. Countries including Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, the United States, and Sweden indicated they would review the matter before rendering a conclusion about the designation of these groups.
BREAKING: Israeli occupation forces raided Addameer’s offices this morning. Al-Haq, Bisan Research, UAWC, and the Committees faced similar actions. Doors were damaged, supplies were confiscated, and a military order remained in effect. #StandWithThe6 pic.twitter.com/47FvYh3LAC
— Addameer –الضمير (@Addameer) 18 August 2022
Al-Haq’s program director commented that raids were expected amid ongoing tensions, with authorities aiming to demonize Palestinian institutions and sever communication with the outside world. The organization argued that the actions were designed to shield Israel from accountability for alleged abuses, particularly after reports were shared with courts and international bodies seeking scrutiny. The broader interpretation is that attempts to restrain civil society undermine the capacity to document and respond to violations affecting Palestinians.
BREAKING: Occupation forces raided the Bisan Research and Development Center this morning, sealed the center with iron doors, and issued a military order declaring the organization illegal. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/QC2KtOm6QP
— Bisan Research and Development Center (@BisanResearch) 18 August 2022
The day’s events coincided with an anniversary of a well-known journalist’s death in the region, underscoring the global attention drawn to the impact of such actions. The Palestinian civil society network argues that these organizations provide essential oversight and advocacy in daily life under occupation, working to secure justice and accountability for all Palestinians while confronting persistent injustices.